Arsenal are reportedly closing in on Porto’s Diogo Leite who has a release clause of €15m, according to Portuguese publication, O Jogo.

Arsenal and Liverpool have both been linked with the player since at least May. Arsenal were reportedly willing to pay his release clause before it was claimed that Liverpool would beat them to his signature.

The report from today’s Portuguese press, however, says that no offers have been made for the player.

Porto are keen to renew the 19-year-old’s contract amid the Premier League interest in the centreback.

Leite hasn’t made his senior debut for Porto just yet, but he made 34 appearances for Porto B in the Ledman Liga Pro and UEFA Youth League last season.

He also played a key part in their Premier League International Cup trophy winning run.

Arsenal got a first-hand view of the player in the final of that competition, as it took place at the Emirates Stadium against their u23 team.

The clean sheet Porto kept didn’t do Leite’s reputation any harm. Although, in fairness, it was a weakened Arsenal side. Earlier in the season, with the likes of Reiss Nelson in the line-up, the academy team won 1-0 against the same opposition.

Leite’s career began with Leixões before he moved to Porto where he formed a successful partnership with Diogo Queirós, who was ahead of him in the club’s hierarchy. Displaying patience and a determination to address accusations that he was too skinny, Leite impressed prior to picking up a serious knee injury. He has now fully recovered from that problem and is back impressing.

“I’m always very focused, I’m aggressive in the duels, I always try to play the best and disarm, I think I’m strong,” Leite said when asked to describe his style of play.